Madison hammockers share the best spots to hang this summer

Visit any of Madison's parks this summer and colorful hammocks will likely dot the trees. During the COVID pandemic, hammock sales soared as people searched for new ways to spend time outside. A few years later, the hobby is still quite popular — sales in Madison have stayed steady for the past two years, a ccording to Elizabeth Ganser, the president of the locally-owned outdoor lifestyle shop Fontana Sports Specialties.

“You can enjoy them in your yard, at a local park, by a lake or on a campsite,” Ganser says. “Wherever you use them, you will feel relaxed and hopefully enjoy a great view of the outdoors.”

A good hammocking spot requires two trees around 15 feet apart: sturdy enough to keep you in place and tall enough to hold you above the ground. In Madison, a great hammocking spot offers lake views and a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here are the best spots to hang up your ‘mock, while adhering to city regulations designed to protect tree health. Officials ask that hammockers avoid conservation parks and use fabric padding when attaching straps to city trees.

The Lakeshore Path

Behind Kronshage Residence Hall on UW-Madison’s campus, a cluster of poles allow visitors to hook up their hammocks next to the Lakeshore Path. The arrangement lets friends hammock side-by-side while overlooking the lake.

“It definitely feels different than being out on the busy campus,” says UW-Madison student Piper Bandera. “You kind of get away from that.”

Amanda Miller, who used to live in Kronshage, appreciates that the scenic path allows her to easily bike to her favorite spot, where she enjoys reading in her hammock. To her, hooking onto the poles feels safer than tying to a tree.

Yahara Place Park

These two trees at the corner of Lake Monona and the Yahara River are almost always occupied. Anna Persetti goes about once per week to read, listen to music or nap. She enjoys the shade on sunny days and the proximity to the water — including the families of ducks swimming nearby.

And if this spot is taken, there are many more trees that look perfect for hammocking bordering the river.

7 MORE SPOTS AROUND THE CITY

Brittingham Park, 829 W. Washington Ave.

Governor Nelson State Park, 5140 Co Hwy M, Waunakee

Hoyt Park, 3902 Regent St.

Olbrich Park, 3527 Atwood Ave.

San Damiano Monona, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona

Tenney Park, 1414 E. Johnson St.

Vilas Park, 702 S Randall Ave.

Hammock Camping

If you rather get out of the city, Madison Area Outdoor Group member Marilee Standifer recommends hammock camping at any local campground. She’s comfortably weathered Wisconsin winters, sweltering summer heat and thunderstorms in her hammock.

“The first time I slept in a camping hammock, I realized that I was never going to sleep on the ground again,” Standifer says.

Hammock campers often tie a rope between the trees above their hammock to hang a tarp over them while they sleep. To stay warm, Standifer recommends having a blanket or sleeping bag on the inside of the hammock and an overquilt on the outside, which is a synthetic quilt designed to fit around a traditional sleeping bag and control moisture. In the Madison area, a mosquito net is also a must.

Zella Milfred is an editorial intern at Madison Magazine.

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